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Original poster

Guilt over cat abortion

124 replies

Kittyguilt · 12/04/2017 22:15

I seem to have adopted a cat from a friend of a friend Hmm

I thought she might be pregnant when I got her two weeks ago, looking at her today she is clearly pregnant. I phoned the vets today to discuss spaying her and obviously aborting the kittens.

It was all very rushed and they said they had an appt tomorrow morning I could have to spay her. I booked it but now I'm feeling terribly guilty about aborting the kittens Sad

I can't feel movement in her stomach but she's quite big and very pink nipples. The vet is going to examine her before the spay and decide if she needs a c-section depending on how far along she is.

Am I doing the right thing? I'm half thinking if she is quite far along then cancelling the spay and having the kittens although I can't keep them all. What would you do?

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 13/04/2017 13:41

True animal lovers make unsentimental choices even when they are hard. Projecting human feelings onto animals is dangerous and does nobody any favours-least of all the animals. Well done, OP

thecatneuterer · 13/04/2017 13:53

Bertrand - we need a like button. I think I might copy that post for future use elsewhere.

Youdontwanttodothat · 13/04/2017 14:27

Well done, OP. It does animals no favours to project human emotions on to them. We love them and want the best for them but must do what is the most humane thing for them. You would rightly feel totally differently for a sister or a daughter but that is because they are humans.
Still tough, I know.

NabobsFromNobHill · 13/04/2017 14:30

And do you think she knows she's pregnant? God I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight

It's a cat, don't anthropmorphise it.

Soubriquet · 13/04/2017 14:38

I think this is the first time I've ever agreed with you Bertrend

You are completely right. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

Aborting kittens, putting an animal to sleep before it's too sick, neutering an animal despite it not being natural. All things that wouldn't normally happen but needs to in order to be kind

Original poster
Kittyguilt · 13/04/2017 15:09

She's home and fine, 3 kittens roughly 5 weeks pregnant.

She's up in my room with some food, litter tray and a big bed to sleep on. They went through the midline so it wouldn't mess up her markings as the fur can grow back a different colour?

OP posts:
Youdontwanttodothat · 13/04/2017 15:37

Well done. You probably feel like curling up in a ball now. Be kind to yourself and enjoy your lovely kitty.

IckleWicklePumperNickle · 13/04/2017 15:42

Awful situation.

Personally I couldn't do it. I'm not in your situation though.

SlothMama · 13/04/2017 15:47

You did the right thing, there are so many cats in rescue.

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2017 15:55

It's the best thing to do for the cat. Anything else would have been putting your wants over her needs. So it's OK to feel sad, because kittens are lovely. But absolutely no guilt. You would have been justified in feeling guilty if you hadn't.

Branleuse · 13/04/2017 16:00

im all for getting animals spayed before they have kittens, but I think if shes heavily pregnant thats a different story. Id cancel and find homes for the kittens.

NameChange30 · 13/04/2017 16:02

RTFT people, or at least the OP's posts! It's done, thankfully.

tuxie11 · 13/04/2017 16:12

Well, as long as her markings will be fine I'm sure that's whats really important here... Hmm

Agree it's an awful situation but for my own conscience I'd let her have them and re-home myself.

Get the cat spayed above all else.

Vinorosso74 · 13/04/2017 16:16

Glad all went well. I think you did the right and responsible thing (unlike her previous owner). She can enjoy her life now without lots of consecutive pregnancies.
Erm, do we get a picture of her?

BertrandRussell · 13/04/2017 16:38

Some people have very simplistic consciences.....

RubbishMantra · 13/04/2017 16:40

I believe you made the right decision. Although a very sad and upsetting one for you to have to make, I'm sure. And Angry on your behalf that you had to make that decision, because her previous person couldn't be arsed to have her spayed.

Wishing your girl a speedy recovery.

SwearySwearyQuiteContrary · 13/04/2017 16:45

Absolutely the right thing to do. Give her a big snuggle.

hesterton · 13/04/2017 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlueKarou · 13/04/2017 16:56

Definitely the right thing, Kitty. There are so many kittens in need of homes. Your new cat will be happy and healthy living with you now she's been spayed.

Pics required, once she's settled and you're both recovered Smile

Maudlinmaud · 13/04/2017 17:00

It's a tough world. I come from a farming background and have seen it all, sadly.
You cannot be sentimental in situations like this, and that is hard.
You did the most responsible thing op. I hope your cat recovers well.

Weedsnseeds1 · 13/04/2017 17:12

It was the right thing for the cat and all the other cats waiting for a home that would be bumped down the waiting list in favour of a cute kitten. You did what needed to be done and cats recover so quickly from spay / neuter operations, you'll be amazed at how she bounces back.

Beingsued · 13/04/2017 17:13

Hope you are okay, I am another one that thinks you did the best thing, the hardest for you, the right decision.

n0ne · 13/04/2017 17:52

OK, I'm no expert on cats but surely letting her have the kittens then giving them away, while it being the norm with pets, is far crueller than terminating the pregnancy? Unless I'm an idiot and cats have been bred over millennia not to be bothered when their kittens are removed from them (that sounds far goadier than intended Blush)

n0ne · 13/04/2017 17:55

Well done for doing the right thing - it must have been really hard Flowers

thecatneuterer · 13/04/2017 18:15

NoOne. You're absolutely right. Mother cats distraught when their kittens are removed from them. We always home a mother with at least one of her kittens